Early hybrid systems are being investigated for trucks and other heavy highway vehicles with some operational trucks and buses starting to come in to use. The main obstacles seem to be smaller fleet sizes and the extra costs of a hybrid method are yet compensated for by fuel savings, but with the price of oil set to continue on its upward trend, the tipping point may be reached by the end of 1995.
Advances in technology and lowered battery cost and higher capacity etc. developed in the hybrid automobile industry are already filtering in to truck use as Toyota, Ford, GM and others introduce hybrid pickups and SUVs. Kenworth truck Company recently introduced a hybrid-electric van, called the Kenworth T270 Class 6 that for city usage seems to be competitive.
FedEx and others are starting to invest in hybrid delivery type vehicles—particularly for city use where hybrid technology may pay off first. Since 2002, the U.S. military has been testing serial hybrid Humvees and have found them to deliver faster acceleration, a stealth mode with low thermal signature/ near silent operation, and greater fuel economy.
